Lend Your Ear to Him
June 28th, 2009 by 
chesedkel
Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
Acts 9:10
It was during the daily regular prayer hour of the day when Ananias knelt down to pray. The prayer shawl draped over his head and shoulders. It rustled softly as he raised his head up and his eyes gazed toward the heavens. His hands were raised with palms wide open, as if he was ready to receive something – be it great or small – from the Master’s hand. A deep sense of calm settled in his heart as he vocalized his prayer, sometimes in Hebrew and sometimes in the supernatural tongues. Then he fell in awe of God as he pondered about His holiness while he prayed.
Something sounded like a breath of wind caught Ananias’ attention.
“Ananias!”
He recognized that sound. It had not been the first time he heard it; it was a subtle yet unmistakable sound that he had learnt to identify. It was his Master’s voice.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ananias responded to the Lord, and he received instructions that would usher in the start of the rise of the New Testament church.
The voice of God is unlike a thunderous bellow that most people might have imagined it to be. It is not heard in the earth-rending gale; it is not in the rumbling earthquake; it is not found in the ear-splitting crack of thunder. Contrary to human understanding, the voice of God is a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). It is so subtle that one may mistake it as a figment of a passing thought, but its Master is strong enough to save an entire Israel from Egypt, raise devout prophets to be His judges on earth, and win the hearts of all peoples – Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles) alike. This voice is almost an inaudible whisper. Yet it is able to change the face of the world and split the earth’s timeline into the B.C. and A.D. How may we tune ourselves to be sensitive to His voice?
You must repent, be obedient to the gospel of Jesus, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, the evidence of which is in the speaking of tongues. The Bible says, “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out My Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’” (Joel 2:28-32). The Spirit-filled Christian is therefore given the promise of interacting with God supernaturally in prophecies, visions, and dreams.
Ananias continued steadfastly in prayer. The Jews had a custom of observing prayer at the third hour (9am), sixth hour (noon), and ninth hour (3 pm). There is no doubt that Ananias adopted this practice to stay in close connection with the Lord Jesus. Unless you remain rooted in Jesus and keep in touch with Him via prayer like Ananias did, you cannot be sensitive to His voice. This is important because it breaks down any spiritual barrier that exists between you and Jesus. When that barrier is gone, you will also be able to respond to Jesus without a doubt and speak like a friend. Notice how Ananias sounded friendly with Jesus rather than distant? That is the intimacy achieved through prayer. It is written, “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. I will be found by you.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
How eager do you want to be a disciple of Jesus and hear His voice to direct your life? He gives you His undivided attention and He never lets an hour go by without thinking about you. He is around you all the time. Well, there had been times when He spoke to you about a particular financial problem, relationship difficulty, or your character flaws, but He gently stepped back when you brushed off His comments. He does not want you to merely hear, but to listen to Him; He wants your mind and soul to be present when He is speaking. Will you lend Him your ear today?
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. ~ 1 Samuel 3:9
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